Terry's Texas Rangers Circa 1863

 Photo Displayed At The Texas Rangers Museum

From Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers:

"A brigade of cavalry was organized at once consisting of the 8th Texas, which was our regiment, the 11th Texas, 3rd Arkansas, and 4th Tennessee regiments, and placed under command of General Joe Wheeler."

Bryce's Cross-Roads

Source

Narrative from Cahaba. A story of captive boys in blue:

"The leading regiment, the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois, reached the front almost breathless after its five-mile race, and was thrown at once into action without a solitary support, except the handful of Grierson's cavalry, already on the ground. These men had been hotly engaged for four hours, and their ammunition was about exhausted."

"The Ninety-third Indiana arrived on the scene some ten minutes later, having been delayed by the stragglers of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois. Lest I should be misunderstood, let me say that these stragglers were falling behind, not on account of cowardice, but because overcome by heat and fatigue. Even in this breathless condition they were pressing on and doing the best they could to get to the front. A more gallant regiment was never enlisted."

"The Ninety-third Indiana reached the front with only a handful of men... . It was formed on the right of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois, directly at the intersection of ' Brice's Cross-Roads,'... ."

Source

Major George Farragut

Artifact Depicting George Farragut's Son* At The Farragut Museum

From the biography of Major George Farragut:

With those few of the present generation who have heard at all of Major George Farragut, the idea usually prevails that his only title to distinction lay in the fact that he became the father* of one of America's most noted naval commanders. Yet the services rendered by George Farragut himself, both as a soldier and sailor, were not unappreciated during his own lifetime. This gentleman, sometime a Captain of North Carolina Cavalry in the army of the Revolution, a pioneer in the trans-montane settlements of Tennessee and the Gulf States, and who was later engaged in the naval service of the United States, was a native of the Island of Minorca, one of the Balearic group, in the Mediterranean sea.

Campaigns Of Wheeler

Source

On the evening of the 28th [August 28, 1864], Wheeler turned his course towards the Alabama and Tennessee Railroad. This he reached a short distance below Nashville, destroying it most effectually for many miles. Near Lynnville a considerable number of cars were captured, and stores were taken at various depots along the road. Near Franklin General Rousseau again attacked us, but was soon so routed that he made no attempt to follow us during that or the next day. Among the wounded of the enemy was the Federal Colonel Brownlow. It was here that we lost our gallant and beloved General Kelly, lieutenant Staples and other brave men.

"At Franklin, in a hot fight with the enemy, Major-General John H. Kelly was killed, one of the noblest and most dashing officers of either army. The writer must pause to mention, with affection, this splendid type of southern manhood. He was an orphan boy from Wilcox county, Alabama. In some way he received his appointment to West Point through a friend in California, and was credited to that State. Brave Kelly! In his death expired the last of his race ; but American manhood received a new luster in the heroism of this splendid young officer."  

First Western Cavalry

History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment ..:

Source

WAR DEPARTMENT, 6th August, 1861.

Captain Albert G. Brackett, of the Second Regiment United States Cavalry, is permitted to go to Illinois, or any other of the Western States, for the purpose of raising a regiment of volunteers to serve during the war. [Signed] SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. 

"At this early day it was not supposed that much cavalry would be required, and it was understood that this regiment would be the 'First Western Cavalry.' This, however, proved not to be the case, and it was only for a very short time that the regiment was so designated...".